Seattle is moving to crack down on a new form of grocery pricing that can change from shopper to shopper based on who they are and what companies know about them.
What’s happening?
In a move to prohibit major grocery retailers, whether online or brick-and-mortar, from using sensitive personal data to charge shoppers different prices, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson joined council members Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Dionne Foster to present to the council committee on human services, labor, and economic development what the mayor’s office described as the “groundbreaking” Fair and Transparent Policy, as reported by MyNorthwest.
The measure would be the first in the country aimed specifically at targeted pricing for groceries and other essential goods. The proposal covers information that would be blocked from retailers such as employment status, race, gender, social media activity, browsing history, chatbot conversations, and other personal details.
It would also require prices to be posted clearly and made publicly available. Programs that offer standard discounts to seniors, veterans, and similar groups would remain allowed…